SAN DIEGO – Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Rivas Morales, a native of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Scranton, a fast-attack submarine homeported at Naval Base Point Loma.
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| Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sean Furey, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Rivas Morales is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Rivas Morales is a 2014 graduate of the Instituto Modelo de Enseñanza Individualizada (IMEI) in San Juan.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Adjuntas.
“I used to work in the supply department at a factory, and we relied on teamwork to get our work done,” Rivas Morales said. “In the Navy, you spread the work out to get it done faster or more accurately.”
Rivas Morales joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Rivas Morales serves as a logistics specialist (submarines).
“I joined the Navy to support my wife, who has diabetes, and my child with special needs,” Rivas Morales said. “My dad, who was in the Army, told me how it was. I wanted something different, and I wanted to travel. The Navy seemed like a good fit.”
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technologically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in support of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines, ballistic-missile submarines and guided-missile submarines.
Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines, like Scranton, have been the backbone of the submarine force for the last 40 years, with approximately 23 in service. Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
Equipped with 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, Scranton is only slightly longer than a football field at 360 feet long and 33 feet across at its widest point. Scranton is crewed by more than 140 enlisted sailors and officers.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Rivas Morales serves aboard a platform capable of bringing the fight to enemies in defense of America and its allies.
Rivas Morales has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of making rank and receiving a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in 2025,” Rivas Morales said. “I’m also proud that I’ve become a better leader.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting the ones I love,” Rivas Morales said. “It allows me to better my skills.”
Rivas Morales is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Senior Chief Logistics Specialist (Submarine) Walker for making me realize my potential,” Rivas Morales said. “I also want to thank my wife for supporting me every minute and every second, and for taking care of the kids while I’m working.”